Trump Leaves Open Further Iran Strikes After Saying Country Is Largely Destroyed

US President Donald Trump left open the possibility of renewed military action against Iran on Thursday, saying the country had been largely destroyed and would need more than two decades to rebuild. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after meeting with his national security advisers, he said he would prefer to avoid further destruction but might still order additional attacks.

His comments followed several statements earlier in the week about whether Washington intended to resume strikes. On Monday, when reporters asked if he was considering attacks on Iran after the congressional midterm elections, Trump answered, "No." He nevertheless said US forces were prepared to act if further military action became necessary.

In October, The New York Times reported that American and Israeli military planners had prepared detailed plans for renewed strikes after the November 3 US elections. The newspaper attributed that information to officials familiar with the matter. Trump's remarks this week did not establish whether those reported plans would be carried out.

During a Financial Times interview on Tuesday, Trump said the United States had no immediate plans to launch further strikes against Iran. That statement came after US attacks on Iran's Qeshm Island, which followed the Iranian regime's claim that it had brought down an American drone. A US official confirmed the strikes to The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

Trump also addressed the continuing indirect negotiations with Tehran on Tuesday, offering a positive assessment of their progress. "We seem to be getting everything we want," he said. By Thursday, however, he was again leaving the possibility of additional military action open, telling reporters they would learn more soon.

On Wednesday night, Trump acknowledged that the Iran war had damaged the Republican Party's performance in the midterm elections. Asked about its electoral impact, he said the conflict had caused a short-term increase in fuel prices. Despite that cost, he maintained that he would make the same decision again, arguing that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon required it.

Trump also agreed broadly with Vice President JD Vance, who had blamed the war for the Republicans' defeat. The president said he would fight Iran again if necessary to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. When questioned about his decision to wage war, Trump said he believed there had been no choice and had anticipated a larger increase in oil prices when making the decision.

Separately, Trump rejected reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth could be replaced after the election defeat. He said he was not considering removing Hegseth and praised his performance, saying, "He's doing an extraordinary job."